asgardeventide | 「 oɴᴇ ☼ vıᴅᴇᴏ ⫻ ᴀᴄᴛɪoɴ foʀ ɢᴇfıoɴ ᴘᴀʀᴋ 」

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「 oɴᴇ ☼ vıᴅᴇᴏ ⫻ ᴀᴄᴛɪoɴ foʀ ɢᴇfıoɴ ᴘᴀʀᴋ 」

[ It's not unusual. The video just opens on a face: nose, freckles, green eyes the brightest of pretty, muted features and darting nervously back and forth. But anyone in the area may notice the trail of blonde hair leading from somewhere in the middle of the park up into one of the tallest trees where Rapunzel is sitting, relishing her surroundings and hiding at once. ]

So… Is — This is working, right? I mean - I've never really used a bracelet to talk to other people before and - [ she laughs nervously, toys with her hair ] Actually. I've never really talked to other people before in general. It's kind of — Well - [ sigh ] I just really have to ask and - [ she winces ] Sorry.

I need to know if anyone's seen a chameleon around. My chameleon. Well - my friend who is also a chameleon. His name's Pascal. And this is his first time outside too so if you could do me an amazing favor and send him to…Freyr House I think the person said? Or just - return him? My name is Rapunzel and… I would be extremely grateful.

[ And then the brilliant speech segues into a faint half-smile, a smile that eventually freezes as something occurs to her and, feigning bravery, she narrows her eyes, scowling to say loftily: ] But if anyone finds him and doesn't give him back? Or - Or they try and hurt him? I. Will hurt you. Because uh - I have a frying pan? And I am so not afraid to use it.

[ beat ]

Al…so. What's - a god?

[ooc; all-day driving, but tags will come later!]

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My hair? [ There's a moment or two before she manages to shake herself out of her wonder enough to actually adress the question, which she does with a sheepish laugh. ] I...guess I'm just used to it. Climbing, I mean. I did a lot of that in my tower and...for some reason my hair never gets too messy. [ it's magic, Rapunzel, of course it doesn't ] But I DO brush it twice a day. Mother says it's very important for a girl to take care of her hair.

[ ... ]

I've never seen another woman before. [ hesitantly, she smiles ] You're beautiful. And - you're not going to hurt me, right?

[She looks down briefly at the mention of a tower, though her smile stays just as warm and friendly. "Rapunzel" had always been her favorite fairytale because of the parallels to her own life. It's really strange, in a way, to meet the person right out of the story, but she's still excited nonetheless. The glance away is only brief, and she plays it off by brushing some hair behind her ear.]

Thank you. You're very pretty too! Ah, especially your hair, but that must be because you take such good care of it! I bet it takes forever to brush...

[She shakes her head slightly at the thought]

My name is Diva, by the way. And I'm not going to hurt you, I promise.

[ Not at all quick enough to mask the (pleasant) surprise she feels at registering this compliment, Rapunzel schools her expression for a good two seconds before finally, giving in, she melts. There's a good deal of squealing and a bit of jumping... Thankfully the branch is thick enough to support her weight. ]

AAAH this is incredible! I thought — I was sure — Mother told me there was nothing but danger in the Outside World! But she never said anything about other girls, so… [ So. She calms a little, but only to smile broadly. ] Wow. And your name is amazing too. Like ice the way it looks in the winter when my windowsill gets frosted. Sort of…glittery, I guess. But it's really nice to meet you, Diva. I'm... [ she shakes her head at the compliment ] I'm nothing compared to Mother. She's lovely. Though I do brush my hair twice a day. It only takes two hours usually.

[She almost feels bad to be half-lying to her. But only almost. After all, in Diva's mind, she isn't going to be a danger to this girl. There's already an understanding and an empathy there that will prevent Diva from being one of the dangers that her mother would have warned her about.]

Ah, I would have guessed it would take longer, actually! That's how I found you—I just kind of followed your hair.

[A light laugh]

Hey, but welcome to Asgard! And to being outside of your tower. [There's a pause, and for once, it's a genuine hesitance on her part rather than a manufactured one for the situation.] It's scary, but it's also the best thing in the world to leave it, right?

[ Rapunzel decides, maybe wisely, against the sermon on the six hours it takes to wash her hair, the subsequent eight required for it to dry, and how many brushes needed in managing both. She also, by nature of the secret she's keeping, neglects her mother's role in hair management. No one needs to know about that. Not even the beautiful new friend (?) she's making and smiling wryly at. ]

Honestly? I...don't really know. It's great to be outside. And it is scary. It...kinda took me awhile to actually get here because of how much there is? And I really only meant to get to my Welcome Hall. [ her eyes drop ] It's overwhelming. But I don't know. I left to fulfill a dream. And now that I'm here I...I can't do that. [ It won't keep her from trying, no. But there it is. ]

Heh. Where in Corona are you from, Diva? [ naturally she's assuming everyone is from her world still ]

Well, if you're looking for the Welcome Hall, I can definitely help with that! We're in the same house, so it's easy! And Freyr is definitely the best house, because it's the house of artists, so it's prettier than everyone else's.

[freyr pride heck yeah]

Ah, but Corona...? I don't think I've heard of that before. That must be where you're from, right?

[She looks thoughtful for a moment, since this is still a weird concept that she ignores about 99% of the time, but she settles on the easiest explanation she can think of]

It sounds weird, but people are from all kinds of different worlds and times here. Like... Well, I'm kind of not from anywhere. But I was born in a country called France, which some people have heard of, and some people haven't. It's definitely weird, and I don't think about it a lot. [shrug!!] I just like meeting people, so I don't care about the details.

I think I like that idea. [ And even if she's curious she can always ask someone else. If everyone here is as friendly as Diva then there oughtn't be very much in the way of problems right...? Not that she's going to let her guard down by any stretch of the imagination. But there are a million questions at the edge of her tongue and she can't imagine one person taking the time to accomodate them all.

Mother hated that. And she does have manners. Even if she knows nothing of social niceties. So Rapunzel simply swallows the scientist part of her that wants to ask more. ] What was it like in France? Are there other artists there like you? I had no idea that was what my House was for! [ she giggles and claps her hands with delight ] It's perfect. Art is...pretty much my life? [ another laugh ]

France is... Well, it's considered a country of culture, where I come from! So there are lots of artists there, but I don't think many more than any other country. Well, in Europe, at least. But it has some of the finest artists of every kind, and the country itself is beautiful. Some of the towns kind of looked like this one, but with all the color, of course!

[Curiously,] What kind of art is it that you do, Rapunzel? I sing opera, myself.

Wow. [ consider her dazzled ] If your voice is nice just - just talking? You must be an incredible singer. Mother would love to hear about it. She likes singing from Les fêtes de Paphos, Cymon - which is supposed to be pretty new I think - and Acante et Céphise the most. But I like to do everything. Like the flying trapeze and ballet! Singing, dancing, sewing... Making things. Boats in glass bottles are fun to do. And cabinets! And...hm, knitting scarves is a lot of fun during the winter, definitely.

But I probably wouldn't have survived at all without painting. [ she smiles privately to herself ] Drawing is sort of like escaping into another world, you know? Even if it's...only for a little while.

[She brightens to hear familiar names, even if she's not familiar with any of the arias themselves. It feels weird, at first, that she would be from enough of the same kind of place to have the same opera and French, but not know about France! But these things happen when you're kept locked up in a tower.

But mostly? She's impressed with how much this girl does.]

Ah... Wow, you have a lot of hobbies! No wonder you're in Freyr! I really just have opera. I'm not very good at painting or drawing, anything like that.

[She looks thoughtful again, then extends her hand in a symbolic gesture, since... obviously Rapunzel can't grab it at the moment.]

Hey, why don't you come down? I can take you back to Freyr! That should be better than being up in a tree.

[ There's a long moment where her the fear comes back into her face and she looks down at the bracelet on her wrist and the comforting screen accompanying. But it doesn't last and soon Rapunzel is looping the ends of her hair around a higher branch, allowing some slack, and using the entire thing to lower herself to the ground in a few short seconds.

Then, with an "ah!" as she straightens, she brushes nonexistent debris from her dress and, giddy with the adrenaline rush of her first face-to-face interaction (Flynn clearly doesn't count), beams. ] Hi! Um - I guess I should've come down sooner, huh? Sorry about that, but - I guess that's another reason I had a lot of hobbies. Pascal was the only person I had to talk to so...I had a lot of time.

It's...difficult. [ something about admitting this makes her uncomfortable but she forges on ] The people. The noise. Talking and - and just being in a place like this. But if everyone else can adjust? If you can, Diva? Then I'm sure I can. You don't have to be able to draw or paint to be really amazing.

[Diva watches the process of her getting out of the tree with nothing short of wonder. Her doing trapeze makes a lot of sense, seeing that! But as soon as she's on the ground, Diva offers the kindest, friendliest smile she can, taking a few small steps closer.]

No, I understand, actually.

[There's a moment where she looks hesitant, because she is. It's a bit of her past that's very personal, and one that she had especially been trying to keep a secret recently. But of anyone Diva could imagine... Rapunzel would understand, even if her stay had been considerably happier than Diva's.

So after a pause, she offers softly,] I lived in a tower alone for a long time too. So I definitely know how hard that kind of stuff is. It was a long time ago for me, but... I definitely remember.

[A nod, and her voice sounds more cheerful and confident] But you know, I think this is a good place to be after leaving! When I left, I spent all the time traveling, so it was like an overload, you know? Every day it was something new! At least here, it'll kind of stay the same. Well, mostly. But it's not like you're going somewhere completely new every day, is my point.

Edited 2012-04-14 02:03 (UTC)

A long time ago huh? [ There's a smile. And she reaches up to tug at that lock of hair to the side of her face though her gaze drops to her feet, bare and wiggling in the grass. For her to be so wonderfully adapted (that Rapunzel can see) no matter how long it's been... Rapunzel finds herself further impressed. ]

I understand. And - I'm glad. That you're happy here, I mean. I think...no matter who you are or why you were alone for so long? I think you deserve to be happy after that. I mean, I never thought I'd meet anyone who would be so kind to me for no reason. Much less someone who understands what it's like to... [ To what? The words fail her, but she laughs to fill the gap. ]

You're just different from how Mother said people would be. You've done all these things and you're not a ruffian or anything! So it's nice. Having you of all people understand. [ dooon't mind if Rapunzel reaches for her hand now, beaming ] I think I'd be...okay being in Freyr House if you're there too.

[She doesn't mind at all, and is more than willing to let Rapunzel take it, returning the bright smile with one of her own. Diva laughs a little, though it's not for the reasons that Rapunzel is probably thinking. She's just surprised at herself, that she's so touched by her words. Some of it she can't agree with (she's pretty sure she's beyond ruffian!), but the sentiment still hits her deeply. It's surprising how good she is with words despite being alone in a tower, she notes.]

Well, I don't think all people are like me, to be fair! [a beat] For better or worse.

[Diva leans a little bit closer, her own smile becoming a grin]

But I'm happy that you're in my house too! I haven't really made any friends there, so it's nice to finally meet someone. [that's because your standards are too high, diva...] But we'll be friends, alright? Because not many people could know what something like that is like. So we can definitely help each other out where we can!

[ To be honest, she isn't sure what it is that keeps her from asking "why" when she mentions not having made any friends. Maybe it's a reflex learned through trial and error with her mother, who'd hated (hates, Rapunzel reminds herself guiltily) to be second-guessed and doubted; though her love for her mother is absolute, there are things she knows she'd sooner do in front of a hundred angry people than in front of a mildly irritated Gothel.

But maybe it's just that she doesn't want to look too closely at this right now. Especially at things that don't matter. She's never had a human friend. And the feeling is so nice, the trust so natural, that she can't bear to give it up now for caution. She squeezes the hand in hers and jumps up and down a little and squeals, letting the thought go. ] Definitely! I know I'm probably not very helpful? But if you need any help? I want to repay you. For what you've done today. I feel - ...better. About everything now. Better than I thought I would when I woke up. Just - aah! So much better!

[The enthusiasm makes Diva's grin widen, and enough that Rapunzel may notice that two of her teeth are quite a bit longer and sharper than the others. Diva is usually very careful to hide her fangs by controlling her smile, but really? The enthusiasm is contagious. She can't remember meeting anyone who was so bubbly and happy to meet her.]

Well, I don't know how much help I can be either, but we'll be unhelpful for each other! [She laughs] Hey, but we can walk over, right?

[Which... brings up a question. Diva leans to the side slightly so she can look at the long trail of hair.] Um, should I help you carry it? It looks heavy.

Oh! No it's fine! [ There's a bit of reluctance but she releases Diva's hands in favor of running her own back down over her hair, scooping up a meager armful. ] It's pretty heavy for most people, I think? But I can handle it. Is...it a long way to Freyr House?

Well... Kind of? I think it takes me twenty minutes or so to walk there from here, but I walk kind of slow. I like to take my time.

[But she has a thought!!] Ah, I could get a carriage, though! I work at a bakery, so I actually can afford it.

[This is something she had to worry about before because she's lazy and only got a job to prove someone wrong, really...]

I think that would be easiest!

[ So many things to attack in these sentences she isn't at all sure where to start. ]

You - You work in a bakery? [ assuming that's where people bake things ] That's incredible, Diva! So you don't just sing! Oh but - what's a carriage? We should definitely get one. If - you know. [ She tosses her hair over her shoulder, trying her best to play it coo now. ] If it's easier, I mean.

I do! It's a cute place near Freyr. You could come work with me, if you wanted! I don't bake or anything, since I can't cook, but it's really easy to just stand behind the counter and talk to people. Oh, and give them their bread and stuff, but I like talking to them the most.

[She waves her hand dismissively. Giving the people the items they paid for is not the purpose of her job, jeez!!]

But a carriage is... [She looks thoughtful, tilting her head slightly] It's kind of like a closed wagon, I guess? Or a cart? There's a horse that pulls it, so you don't have to walk, and it's faster too. It's pretty nice! I like to use them when I have to get somewhere quickly, since running across the whole city is a pain.

I've heard of wagons. Mother uses one to take the things we make to the market in the city. But - riding in one? I'd never even considered that. [ She taps her chin in thought. And the analytical and adventurous parts of her want to do this in equal measure. It's almost ridiculous how many new things she's encountered and learned today, and already she feels like a new person.

The giddiness has her nodding. ]I would love to ride in a carriage! And I can bake, Diva. Maybe we can...work together after all? Though baking isn't really work. Cooking too. That's fun.

[Diva is amazed, the more she learns about you, Rapunzel. What can't you do?? she is not ready for disney magic]

[But she'll start walking, slowly, so that they can make it to the street where she can call for one]

It's fun! And actually, where I come from, carriages are considered old-fashioned. They have these things that are even faster! They're faster that horses, even! But they're made of metal, and make a lot of noise. But there's none of those here, that I know of. So we'll just start with carriages!

[She laughs, thinking of when she had first seen a car and ridden in it. She'd almost died from fright at the noise and speed, so starting with a carriage was for the best.]

But you definitely should! It's just called Boulangerie-Pâtisserie, which is a really dumb and boring name, but it's fun working there. I used to go there every day before I started working there. ...Ah, though I guess I still do, but it's for work instead. Another friend of mine works there too, Chane! Chane is really quiet, because she doesn't talk or anything, but she's really nice.

[this will be the most moe bakery in existence]

When Grigori comes back, I'll make sure he hires you! He's a pushover when it comes to me, so it'll be no problem.

Grigori? [ This with a half-distracted "hmm". Walking means new scenery. And new scenery means a very entranced Rapunzel, who wonders if she isn't going to end up with whiplash from looking back and forth, taking in the changing surroundings and unsure of whether to be frightened or exhilarated. In the end it's a little of both - so she smiles. ] Will it hurt? Being "hired". Then again if - heh. If two people can go through it and end up okay and alive it wouldn't be too bad, right? Do you...think I'll be allowed to make pain au chocolat? That was Mother's favorite. And - oh! Does Chane do the same thing you do? Talk to people?

[She turns easily on her heel so that she can walk backwards as she talks. Diva comes to the park often enough to know the quickest way to the main street, at least, so she doesn't have to pay too much attention to where she's going. After all, there's a lot to explain!]

No, it won't hurt at all! Being hired, it's just... Well, it's just when a person decides they like you, so they'll pay you to help them do stuff! So for me, I just handle money and recommend stuff for people to buy. And I guess you'd help by baking? But you'd definitely be able to make that! We sell it already, and it's really popular, so you could probably make it a lot.

[But she giggles a little bit as she moves onto the subject of Chane, shaking her head.]

Chane doesn't talk to anyone. She's mute! So she just kind of takes care of random things, like sweeping or cleaning tables, stuff like that. She has a kind of scary look sometimes, since she looks really serious and mean, but she's just shy.

[Diva nods, very assured of this, but then looks surprised.]

Ah, I almost forgot about Grigori! Grigori, he was one of the Faceless people, but I gave him a face, sort of. The people here get a face and a personality when you talk to them a lot, I think. At least, that's how Grigori got his face, since I talked to him like every day... But he reminded me of a person I knew a long time ago, so I named him after him! I guess his full name would be Grigori Rasputin, but that's kind of weird, so I just call him Grigori. But anyways, he's the one that owns the bakery. But like I said, he's a pushover, especially for pretty girls.

[ Again, Rapunzel finds herself falling short of an appropriate response. But she listens with fascination and the surprise and intrigue on her face is apt for what she's hearing - if a bit exaggerated by inexperience. The explanation of the bakery's proprietor gets a laugh at any rate; she's smart enough at least to put that together. ]

So that's why we're here! What the letter meant, I mean. "You have been chosen by the gods to bear the honorable task of restoring color and life to the Holy City of Asgard." It didn't really make any sense to me before but I...I think I get it. [ she smiles ] It's kind of like me. I've only known you for a little while and I already feel more colorful. I bet even Chane must have that effect on others right? No matter who the person is they change you a little.

[ Yet she wrinkles her nose as the delight of her discovery segues into a more troubling line of thought, one that puts a crease in her brow and dampens the smile that before had been so bright. Not Rapunzel can tell what it is about this question that disturbs her so much. And maybe that's what disturbs her so much. ]

But, Diva - where did the color go? Why is Asgard like this? [ she spins around with arms out, gesturing ] There had to be life here to begin with, right? So what happened to it? And people - they keep telling me to watch out for the gods, but... But why would they hurt us if they need us to be happy? It doesn't make any sense.

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